Taylor showing pass-catching form of Vikings greats

The second-leading rusher in Vikings history was boxed in — by a single question, no less.

Who is best receiver out of the backfield in team history?

"Why you putting me on the spot like that?" Foreman said Thursday.

Foreman was trying to be diplomatic, since he is one of the NFL's archetypical running backs integrated into a passing offense. He wasn't the first, but Foreman popularized an offensive emphasis that opened the door for dual-threat backs such as Roger Craig, Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook.

As he plays Robin to Batman (Adrian Peterson), Vikings running back Chester Taylor has asserted himself as one of the league's premier receivers out of the backfield, particularly in clutch situations. Taylor leads all running backs and is tied for sixth in the NFL with 16 third-down catches, which he has turned into 186 yards. His only touchdown came Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, when he extended a 12-yard reception into a 47-yard score by stopping on a dime and leaving Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop in his wake.

"He is one of the better receivers out of the backfield in the history of the Vikings," Foreman said of Taylor, "and I think he's one of the best in the game today.

"Especially after that catch."

But Foreman said Taylor is just continuing a team tradition, one that started in the team's second season with Tommy Mason and Bill Brown, who combined for 46 catches for 727 yards and seven touchdowns in 1962.

He was explosive, he was smooth, and he was a natural at catching the ball.

Then there was another distinguishing detail: He was big.

"Chuck Foreman was 6-2, and he was a great jumper, so that's a great target," former Vikings tight end Stu Voigt said. "He also had all these moves; he was special.

"Quite frankly, there's no one quite like him."

The Vikings had other notables, such as Rickey Young, who led the team in receptions in 1978 with 88, and Ted Brown, who led the team in receptions in 1981 with 83.

Then there's Amp Lee, eighth in team history for catches (170) among running backs despite playing only three seasons.

"He was one of the first third-down receivers out of the backfield," said Voigt, who also was a Vikings radio analyst for about 18 years. "That's how he got on the field. Everybody knew when he came in, it was third down."

Taylor was primarily a third-down back in Baltimore, playing behind Jamal Lewis, before he signed a contract with the Vikings in 2006 to become the featured back. In his first season, Taylor rushed for 1,216 yards and caught 42 passes for 288 yards. But the Vikings used the seventh overall draft pick in 2007 to select Peterson, and Taylor was eventually bumped from the starting job.

But Taylor remains an integral part of the offense, particularly on third downs when his experience — he knows how to pick up blitzes — and versatility make him a weapon.

"They have a guy over there named Adrian Peterson, so a lot of attention goes to him," Briggs said. "But Chester Taylor, he's one of the NFL's better backs.

"He's a hard-nosed guy. ... A smart running back who reads his blocks well, allows them to set up. He runs well in between the tackles and accelerates."

Taylor said he just prides himself on being well-rounded.

"You got to be able to catch, run and block," he said. "I just try to have all three qualities."

He said his skills are evolving, especially because this is his first stint in a West Coast offense. For instance, he has been working on his route-running skills so he can beat linebackers in one-on-one coverage.

Now, Foreman said, Taylor just needs some help from offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.

"I think he's one of the best in the league — when they do throw it to him," Foreman said. "But the thing is, they don't seem to throw it to him very much."